About Us

The Institute for Wellness Education (IWE) was founded by experts in the art and science of behavior change. Our mission is to help drive cultural transformation so that health and wellness become the norm for individuals, communities, and the nation.

In 2013, IWE crafted the national competencies and curriculum that established wellness coaching as an official occupation (SOC # 21-1094.00) recognized by the US Department of Labor (DoL). The competencies and curriculum also served as the basis for the DoL’s approval of Wellness Coaching as aUS DoL Registered Apprenticeship.

IWE’s Founders

Dr. Deborah Teplow is an expert educator and trainer with broad experience in behavioral health. She oversees IWE’s day-to-day operations and helps professionals and local community members develop skills to make a lasting difference. She founded Health Focus, Inc., which created continuing medical education (CME) for physicians in major therapeutic categories, including addiction and mood disorders, and diabetes. She served on the boards of the US and international associations of CME, and is widely published in the field. She earned her doctorate from Stanford University.

David Mee-Lee, MD, FASAM (Fellow of the American Society of Addiction Medicine), is a board-certified psychiatrist and expert in addiction medicine and the change process. Dr. Mee-Lee is Chief Editor of the new (2013) American Society of Addiction Medicine treatment guidelines for addictive, substance-related, and co-occurring conditions; and a member of the Operating Board for the Behavioral Medicine Center at Loma Linda in California. He presents around the world on topics related to addiction treatment, motivational interviewing, and the self-change process.